In Folks Huxford’s TheHistory of Brooks County (1948 ), a history of Hickory Head Baptist Church by Mrs. J. G. Stanley and Mrs. A. J. Reamy tells of the origins of the church. Members of Liberty Baptist Church, at present-day Grooverville, who lived closer to Hickory Head Academy began holding prayer meetings there in 1870. This led to the formal establishment of the church in 1872, and the construction of a permanent home in 1873. The original sanctuary, if this is indeed it, has obviously been expanded over time. The nicely manicured churchyard and cemetery are community landmarks.
Pine Hill Church is surrounded by beautifully maintained Longleaf Pine plantation lands in the Red Hills region. The small building is a simple vernacular form, two bays deep, with a very notable steeple, which has recently been restored.
An African-American congregation, Pine Hill members were most likely employees of the nearby lumber and turpentine operations, and some may have come from the white congregations of nearby Grooverville.
There was a nearly identical church building, known as Piscola Church and built circa 1944, that was located near this church. I didn’t see it when I drove through the area, so it may have been demolished.
There’s also an historic wooden schoolhouse nearby, but it was not accessible.
This is another of countless rural churches for which I can find no historical information, even though I believe it to be an old congregation. Its address is listed as Dixie, but it’s actually much closer to the ghost town of Pidcock. James N. Pidcock, for whom the settlement was named, was a wealthy New Jersey entrepreneur with wide-ranging South Georgia timber interests, and a home in Moultrie. It’s possible he was a benefactor of the church, as he would have employed many African-Americans in his timber business.
I can locate no history of Graham Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, but I’d guess the structure dates to circa 1900-1920. It’s an amazingly pristine example of the most common style for Black congregations of the era, anchored by two asymmetrical, or uneven, towers. The exterior of Graham Chapel is largely original, and even retains the original shake siding on its towers and front gable.
Quitman Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Beulah Baptist, like Bethel A. M. E. Church, is a Freedmen congregation, established in 1869. The cornerstone for this structure, placed in 1916, identifies it simply as Beulah Baptist Church. I’m not sure when the congregation became affiliated with the Missionary Baptists.
This historic African Methodist Episcopal church traces its origins to a group of Freedmen in 1866. The present structure, an amazing example of the uneven-tower type church, was dedicated in August 1903, during the pastorate of I. S. Hamilton. The stucco siding was added during a renovation in 2016. It’s one of the oldest Black congregations in Brooks County, if not the oldest.
Bethlehem Primitive Baptist is one of the most iconic and historic churches in Brooks County. Established in 1834, it joined the Primitive Baptist sect in 1840. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Some sources date the church building to 1834, which is possible, but I’ve also seen circa 1861 referenced. Whichever date is correct, it’s an old church with a quiet beauty. Many have visited just for the sense of peace it projects.
Sadly, I learned today from Gail Blackman Eubanks that it was badly damaged by a storm, thought to have been last September. Gail kindly shared the two photos detailing some of the damage and says structurally, it looks really bad. She was optimistic, nonetheless.
She noted that the interior pews and lectern looked to be in good shape, which is amazing considering that much of the roof is open to the elements. I don’t know if there are any plans to attempt to restore it, but I certainly hope so. There has to be a strong sense of community around this historic place and maybe a miracle can happen.
Situated on a large plantation among thousands of acres of managed Longleaf Pine near Pavo, Bethel Primitive Baptist Church is among the oldest congregations in this section of Georgia, constituted on 2 September 1826. Elders Benjamin Manning, Matthew Albritton, Henry Melton, and Deacon William A. Knight were the original Presbytery. Charter members were Melus and Sarah Thigpen, Archibald and Luander Strickland, and Henry C. and Sarah Tucker. Thigpen served as the supply pastor until 1828, when the Reverend Matthew Albritton was called to the charge of Bethel.
Mitchell Brice, Jr. [8 September 1896-10 October 1899]
I am unsure as to the date of construction, but the church is of a vernacular style widespread in Georgia in the late 19th century. The church was unpainted at least as late as 1968. The grounds are beautifully maintained and an historic cemetery is adjacent to the church, serving as the final resting place of many area pioneers.
Bethlehem Primitive Baptist church was established in 1834 as the Baptist Church at Christ Bethlehem, just two years after the Primitive sect was formed nationally from a split with the Missionary Baptists. They formally affiliated with the Primitive Baptists in 1840.
The present church, constructed circa 1861, is one of the few remaining antebellum structures surviving in Brooks County.
To those familiar with the Crawfordite Primitve Baptists of Southeast Georgia, it will look quite familiar, as it is plain, unpainted, and contains multiple entrances.
The congregation disbanded in 1964, had a brief revival between 1981-1984, and has been inactive ever since.
It’s a serene place that will hopefully be preserved far into the future.
